Yes, French Connection is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on releasing numerous trend-driven collections annually, quick production turnarounds, and outsourcing manufacturing to low-cost countries.
While the brand has made some initial moves toward using more sustainable materials, it falls short on ethical labor practices and supply chain transparency. Its efforts are largely insufficient to counteract the environmental and social impacts of its high-volume production model. Here’s a closer look at French Connection's practices.
French Connection follows a typical fast fashion model by prioritizing speed and volume, though it positions itself at a slightly higher price point than brands like Zara or H&M.
French Connection's ethical practices are a key area of concern due to a significant lack of transparency and a failure to address living wages in its supply chain.
The brand manufactures in countries with documented risks of labor exploitation. While French Connection states it audits suppliers, it provides no public, third-party verified reports to back this up. Reports from NGOs indicate workers in its supplier factories in Bangladesh earn around $180 per month, far below the estimated living wage of approximately $350 per month, leaving workers unable to meet their basic needs.
French Connection publishes a supplier list, but transparency ends there. The brand does not disclose the results of its factory audits, specific working conditions, or how it verifies compliance with its own code of conduct. This lack of independent verification makes it impossible for consumers to know if workers are being treated fairly.
The company uses some animal-derived materials like wool and leather but falls short of providing clear responsible sourcing policies. It does not have key animal welfare certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and is not certified by animal rights organizations like PETA or Leaping Bunny.
French Connection has started to incorporate more sustainable materials, but these efforts are minimal and overshadowed by the inherent unsustainability of its fast fashion model.
Only around 25-30% of French Connection's fabrics are sourced from certified suppliers (like GOTS or BCI). The vast majority of its collection consists of conventional cotton and polyester, which are resource-intensive. For instance, its Spring/Summer 2024 collection used only 15% recycled polyester and 12% organic cotton.
Crucial data on the brand's environmental footprint is missing. French Connection does not publicly disclose its Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions, nor does it report on its water usage or chemical management practices. Without this data, accountability for its environmental impact is virtually non-existent.
The brand's efforts in circularity are minimal. It offers a "Recycle & Refresh" initiative where customers can send back old items for a discount voucher, but little information is available about what actually happens to these garments. It lacks significant upcycling programs or initiatives to tackle textile waste from unsold inventory.
French Connection has set goals to become carbon neutral by 2040 and use 50% sustainable fibers by 2030. However, these goals are not supported by clear, third-party verified progress reports. The brand does not hold key sustainability certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral Certified.
French Connection demonstrates a clear gap between its marketing and its actual performance. Its business model remains firmly rooted in fast fashion, and its ethical and sustainability initiatives lack the depth, transparency, and verification needed to be considered meaningful.
French Connection receives a D+ for ethics due to its severe lack of supply chain transparency and failure to commit to living wages. While it claims to audit suppliers, the absence of independent verification and tangible data on worker wages and conditions suggests its policies are either inadequate or not properly enforced.
The brand earns a C for sustainability. It gets credit for setting future goals and incorporating a minor percentage of sustainable materials into its collections. However, this grade is held back by a lack of transparency on its environmental impact, no meaningful circularity programs, and a business model that fundamentally drives overconsumption.
If you're looking for brands that offer similar styles with a much stronger commitment to ethics and the environment, consider these alternatives.
A B Corp and Fair Trade pioneer, People Tree offers stylish apparel made with organic and recycled materials while guaranteeing living wages for its garment workers. Its aesthetic aligns with French Connection's contemporary basics but with radical supply chain transparency.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Reformation offers on-trend, feminine styles with a focus on sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and TENCEL™. The B Corp provides detailed impact reports for each garment, showing a commitment to transparency that French Connection lacks.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for modern wardrobe staples and "radical transparency," Everlane discloses information about its factories and production costs. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified and focuses on quality materials designed to last longer than a single trend cycle.
Shop now at everlane.com
While known for outdoor wear, Patagonia's commitment to ethics and sustainability is second to none. The B Corp uses 87% recycled materials, is Fair Trade Certified, and offers a lifetime repair program to combat waste, making it a gold standard in responsible fashion.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Specializing in minimalist sneakers, VEJA is a B Corp known for its deep commitment to ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and the use of organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles. The brand works directly with producer cooperatives in Brazil, ensuring living wages are paid.
Shop now at veja-store.com
French Connection is considered fast fashion due to its business model of releasing 10-12 trend-driven collections per year, its rapid 4-8 week production cycle, and its focus on high-volume sales. These practices fuel a cycle of continuous consumption and disposability.
While the brand claims to audit its factories, there is little public evidence of meaningful improvement. Without independent verification through certifications like Fair Trade or detailed public reporting on audit outcomes and wages, progress remains difficult to confirm and appears to be slow at best.
The quality of French Connection clothing is designed to align with its fast fashion business model. While priced slightly higher than some competitors, items are generally focused on current trends rather than long-term durability, with many consumers reporting they last for only a few seasons.
